HAAST ROAD

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25579, 21 August 1948, Page 2

HAAST ROAD

SOME PROGRESS ON WORK

“Since the complaint was made, work on the Haast Pass road has gone ahead considerably;” said Mr F. BoUstridge (Greymouth), discussing a reply by the Minister of Works (Mr R. Semple) on the subject of South Westland roading to the executive of the South Island Local Bodies’ Association yesterday. He contended that the road was an access road and not a tourist road; as the Minister argued. Men had been shifted from Jackson’s Bay to the road, a competent road construction man was placed in charge, and another truck placed on the job. Until access was given them, the settlers could carry out only cattle-rais-ing. The district had dairying possibilities.

executive decided to advise the Minister of the progress reported, and its hope of further progress in the future.

“The engineers have in mind the completion of the Homer tunnel road to Milford Sound before linking the Haast Pass road, which will take much more money and manpower,” said Mr D. H. Cockburn (Otago Counties). - A suggestion from the Nelson-Marl-borough-West, Coast League of Local Bodies that the association should draw up a list of priorities for roads Was not favourably received. Professor G. J. Jobbethg (Christchurch) said the first priority for the South Island was the development of the big hydro-electric power station near Roxburgh. The view was expressed by the executive that the estimates given by Mr Semnle for the roading works in South Westland and for the Queens-town-Glenorchy road were too high, and it was decided to ask that his answers should not prejudice further investigation of ways and means of making progress on. at least, some of the proposals.